First time London and Europe: Preparing for a trip overseas

There is a first time for everything....

Right? ;-)

So I made it! My first 4 weeks out of the country! I've done it. and it was not so bad! Actually it was AMAZING! Take it from me ... (ok ;-) .... you will not know unless you have tried it yourself. I am so hooked that this will probably become at least an annual expedition ... different countries and different people...

Below is a collection of my first experience on foreign soil, on my own! Dawnting thought .. Nagh... Try it. .. you will experience it for yourself.. The highlight of some of the cool places that I visited and the drama to get there and back. Drama ... well .. ok .. not much drama ... only good memories that totally voided any possibility of unhappiness...

Anyway,
Enjoi!

So, I thought it was going to be an easy one! ... Eish! try again.

Planning, Planning, Planning .... there are so many things to think of, so many arrangements to make, so many people to talk to... and so much cash to be expended!

But it will all be worth it! I am sure.

So, u have a passport - now the fun starts. First you need to get your trip planned. Where one is going, dates, times etc.. This is the easiest part! trust me, even if you do not know what you want to do, or where you want to go, it still is the easiest!

Next you need to get your flight arrangements done. This is also rather easy. But Shop Around!!, it is just amazing that you can pay 3 different prices for the same flights to the same destinations. My travel agent was most helpful in getting this sorted out!

Arranging Foreign Exchange is relatively easy (and seems to be a requirement, before you can get your VISA approved), so off to the FOREX guys it is. You need to have your flight details and passport ... else they will not help you, so make sure you have that with you.

Let your travel agent do your VISA application for you... they know which people to talk to to speed things up! You need tickets, itinerary for your travels, proof of FOREX, 2x color photos (don't smile .... they do not like teeth! :-)

So all set! Passport, VISA, Forex, Itinerary... almost there....

You need to take leave! Shucks ... be kind to your boss.. you do not want him to say NO now, unless you are one of the lucky ones who do not have a boss! (ie, do not work or are your own boss - don't we all want that!)

2 comments:

Jacques Coetzer said...: Ok, with 16 days to go ..

I spoke to my travel agent the other day. She said she received an Email that my Visa application seems to have been successful. Jippeee... that is the last hurdle out the way. I cannot wait to collect all the items on Wednesday!

Will keep you posted!
Now for the packing ... gotta start working out what to take! :-); April 29, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Jacques Coetzer said...: Went on Wednesday and collected my VISA. Got my travel bags sorted out and now we are ready to board the plane .. or at least almost ..

Still one more week at the office .. Clothes to pack and the trip to the airport for the first in-country flight to our international airport.

Keep well,
Chat again soon.; May 5, 2007 at 2:07 PM